Greene County Sheriff Gene Fischer addressed reporters at a press conference in Xenia on Jan. 25, announcing that two suspects had been arrested in the shooting deaths of William "Skip" Brown and Sherri Mendenhall. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine also spoke at the conference. (Photo by Dylan Taylor-Lehman)

Two arrested in double homicide

At a press conference Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m., Greene County Sheriff Gene Fischer announced the arrest of Dustin M. Merrick on two counts of aggravated murder in the shooting deaths of William “Skip” Brown and Sherri Mendenhall, whose bodies were found at their neighboring residences at 4444 E. Enon Road on Jan. 15. Sheriff Fischer also announced the arrest of Merrick’s brother, Bret S. Merrick, on two counts of complicity to aggravated murder and related charges.

Dustin Merrick was arrested at his residence, 1042 Parnell Drive in Xenia, Tuesday night. Bret Merrick was arrested at his place of employment, according to Sheriff Fischer on Wednesday.

Dustin Merrick was a “person of interest” in the case, Sheriff Fischer said, and had previously been interviewed by investigators. Police had also previously seized a firearm belonging to Dustin Merrick that they believe to be the murder weapon.

In questioning by police, Bret Merrick admitted he was with his brother on Jan. 15 when the two men entered the East Enon Road property, according to Sheriff Fischer’s statements at the press conference.

No further information was provided about Dustin Merrick or his connection to Brown and Mendenhall. Locally, he is known to have worked on construction projects in Yellow Springs. Brown was the owner of the Legendary Roofing Company, a roofing business he operated out of his home. Menhenhall lived next door in the other half of the East Enon Road duplex.

Sheriff Fischer said he could not disclose information about possible motives for the murders of Brown and Mendenhall at this time.

“We’re not done. There’s still more to investigate,” he said.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine also spoke at Wednesday’s press conference. Agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, or BCI, helped investigators from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department in the case. DeWine called the case a tragedy for the victims, their families and the Yellow Springs community.

The case is scheduled to be arraigned in Xenia Municipal Court on the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 25.

The News will follow up with a more detailed report in the Feb. 2 issue.